Grit on bullets

Discussions of powders, bullets and loading information.

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James
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Grit on bullets

Post by James »

These bullets were cast of 1/20 and lubed with SPG a couple of years ago. Stored in clean boxes in a cool basement. Now they have what looks about like 3fg powder on them. It's not powder but that's as good a discerption of the stuff. Have you seen this yourself? I'll wipe the case down but think maybe the lube has reacted with the lead or tin.
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kenny s
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by kenny s »

If It's lead Oxide, wash your hands really well. stuff is really poisonous .
but lead oxide is usually white. antique ammo is covered with it.

Ken
hepburnman
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by hepburnman »

Maybe a reaction with the brass?
hepburnman
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by hepburnman »

Tin in certain solders can form Tin whiskers. However, alloying Tin with lead usually prevents this.
James
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by James »

The bullets have the grit on them before they are loaded, the one cartridge was just loaded. The rest of them are in boxes yet to be loaded. My guess would be inline with oxide combining with the lead and/or tin to form the beads but that's a WAG as I've never seen it before.
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kenny s
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by kenny s »

still think it's the start of lead oxide that will eventually turn grey. don't touch the stuff....Ken
Kurt
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by Kurt »

You said those bullets were loaded for a couple years. If that SPG has any sort of animal fat in it it could be fungus. Mold will grow in damp basements.
When mold drys out it will be gritty.
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BFD
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by BFD »

It is powder It is too uniform in size to be mold. It is not lead oxide.

Scrape some off and put a match to it.
James
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by James »

These bullets have never been loaded except the one. They have never been out of the bullet boxes or exposed to powder. It’s always dry here and an even temperature were stored. I’m hoping some one has seen this and can comment on if it will effect the rifles bore. Strange stuff makes me curious.
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firefighter1990
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by firefighter1990 »

That is odd. My vote and/or guess goes to mold as SPG is a tallow based lube. From what I can remember; it is or was made with sheep tallow when Steve Garbe first brewed it up. I don't know if that's still the case. I have a few bullets that have been lubed and sitting around for close to 2 years now and still look clean but I make my own grease from beeswax, anhydrous lanolin, and neats oil. Your guess is as good as mine sir. ????
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Lumpy Grits
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by Lumpy Grits »

What else has those 'clean boxes' been used for?
Gary
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James
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by James »

The boxes were plastic Hornaday round ball and a new small cardboard box. Both produced the same “grit” on the bullets. Studying the bullets today I’m favoring the lead oxide idea. The consistent size of the “grit” is intriguing.
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BFD
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by BFD »

Put some in water. Put some more to the flame. It's not lead oxide. I'd be money on it.
D. Taylor Sapergia
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by D. Taylor Sapergia »

It looks to me like moth larvae poop. Seriously.
lrb
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Re: Grit on bullets

Post by lrb »

Looks like powder to me. 3fg, or 4fg.
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